PS 3515 
.0935 
T6 

1 1914 
Copy 1 



PRICE 15 CENTS 



Too Much Bobbie 





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acts. Costumes, modern. One of the strongest plays Mr. Tubbs 
has written. Martin Winn's wife left him when his daughter 
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of the man who has wronged Martin, makes love to Ruth Winn. 
She is also loved by Len Everett, a prosperous young farmer. 
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THE OLD DAIRY HOMESTEAD. A Rural Comedy 
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A WHITE MOUNTAIN BOY. A Strong Melodrama in 
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THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 



Too Much Bobbie 

A Farce in One Act 



By 

HELEN MORRISON I^OWIE 

Author of ^^ After the Matinee:;' ^''Those 
Dreadful Drews^' etc. 




PHILADELPHIA 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

1914 






COPYRIGKT I9I4 BY The PeNN PUBLISHING COMPANY 



Too Much Bobbie 



.DEC II 1914 



Too Much Bobbie 



CHARACTERS 



Miss Bertha Kent spinster 

Rita ) , 

Alice [ ^''' ''''''' 

Mrs. Mary Griffin her cousiti 

Nancy Brower Rita's cJmm 

Sophie a maid 

Time of Playing : — Twenty-five minutes. 



STORY OF THE PLAY 

Two lively sisters, Rita and Alice, have lost their dog, 
Bobbie, that they have smuggled into their aunt's house. 
Rita goes out to find it. A friend, Nancy, brings a dog for 
a present and hides it when warned that Aunt Bertha hates 
dogs. The aunt, finding Rita away and overhearing talk 
about Bobbie, concludes that Rita has eloped with a young 
man, Bobbie Basset. The excitement is high, when Rita, 
who has failed to find her dog, comes back discouraged. 
Nancy's present turns out to be the lost Bobbie, Aunt 
Bertha, glad it is no worse, has a change of heart about 
keeping Bobbie, and all ends merrily. 



COSTUMES, ETC. 

Miss Kent. Forty. Appears in simple morning dress. 
Changes to black broadcloth walking suit and hat. A tall, 
thin woman with vinegar expression, domineering and fault- 
finding. 

Rita. Seventeen. Attractive street costume, light in 
weight and color. 

Alice. Nineteen. Trim shirt-waist and skirt. 

Mrs. Griffin. Thirty-five. Rich, black traveling cos- 
tume, suitable for a widow in second mourning. A whole- 
some looking woman, with a shrewd, kindly face, fearless 
and outspoken. 

Nancy. Seventeen. Pretty hat and walking dress. 

Sophie. Twenty. Black dress with white apron. 



PROPERTIES 

Sheets of music, newspaper, magazine, telegram blank, 
small dog basket, small silver card-tray, larger tea-tray with 
cups, etc. 



SCENE PLOT 




Scene. — Living-room in Miss Kent's house. 



Too Much Bobbie 



SCENE. — Tastefully furnished mterior. Doors'^, mid l.. 
and a?i entrance par tiered c. Table R. c. , with telephone y 
booksy magazines J etc. Piano upper L. 

(^At rise of curtain Alice is dow7i l. Enter Rita, r.) 

Alice. Well, here you are at last ! 

Rita (^pausing and holding up her finger'). Hark ! 

Alice {listening'). 1 didn't hear anything. 

Rita. Wasn't that a bark ? 

Alice. No. You think everything from a sigh to a lo- 
comotive whistle is a dog's bark. 

Rita. Well, he may be brought back any minute — poor 
little Bobbie. 

Alice. I hope not. 

Rita. Why, Alice I You know you think he's the cun- 
ningest thing. If I ever get him back 

Alice. You can't keep him. 

Rita. Why not ? 

Alice. Aunt Bertha isn't going away, after all. 

Rita (^frightened). Oh ! Why not ? 

Alice. She has just heard that an old friend is coming 
to visit here, so her own trip is postponed. 

Rita. Well, isn't — that — the — limit? {^Throws herself 
into chair, R. c.) Where is she now ? 

Alice. Aunt Bertha? In the dining-room. 

Rita. Has she finished her breakfast ? 

Afjce. No, not yet. 

Rita. When did 'she tell you ? 

Alice. Just now. 

Rita. This is awkward, to say the least. 

Alice {agreeing). To say the least ! 

Rita. What are we going to do about it ? 



b TOO MUCH BOBBIE 

Alice. What are you going to do about it, you mean. 
You got us into this fix. 

Rita (ze////z a slight frowtij impatiejitly^. My dear 
Alice, you said that before. 

Alice. I'll probably say it again. Not that it will do 
any good. 

Rita. When did talk ever do any good ? That's what's 
the trouble in this house — too much talk. It's talk, talk, 
talk, from morning till night. Thank goodness, I'm a per- 
son of deeds. 

Alice. Yes, misdeeds. If Aunt Bertha knew that you 
had actually been hiding a dog in your room for the past 
week 

Rita {interrupting). There would be more talk. Just 
what I wish to avoid. 

Alice. I don't see how you are going to manage it. {A 
slight pause.) The house will be swarming soon with peo- 
ple who have found lost dogs. If only you hadn't adver- 
tised ! 

Rita {snatching tip her hat and putting it on). If, if, if! 
If Aunt Bertha didn't hate dogs ! And if I didn't love 
them ! And if I hadn't bought Bobbie ! And if you hadn't 
lost him ! 

Alice {indignantly). I lost your dog ! 

Rita. Didn't you leave the front door open ? 

Alice. Certainly not. 

Rita. Well, somebody did. And my little darling got 
away. And, Alice, 1 believe you're wicked enough to be 
glad of it. 

Alice. Well, I confess I am tired of having my bedroom 
turned into a dog kennel and the bed full of dog-biscuit 
crumbs. 

Rita. Don't exaggerate ! And please don't talk about 
dog-biscuit. I can't stand it! I found one just a little 
while ago in the top bureau drawer and it set me off again. 
{Puts her handkerchief to her eyes.) Poor Bobbie ! He 
w;is so little trouble ! So quiet, so intelligent and affection- 
ate ! I wish Aunt Bertha took after him. 

{Voice 7vithout calls.) 
Alice {to ^\i:k,warning^y). S-s-^h ! 
(^Hastily occupies herself 7vith the 7?iusic, arranging and 
sorting the sheets ; Rita goes to door^ l.) 



TOO MUCH BOBBIE 7 

Rita {dutifully). Yes, Aunt Bertha. I'm just getting 
ready to go for my singing lesson. {To Alice, with a 
change of tone.) Find my music roll, hurry up ! {Voice 
without.) Yes, Aunt Bertha. {To Alice.) Aunt Bertha 
wishes to know if you have seen this morning's paper any- 
where about ? 

Alice {picking 2ip a sheet of music she has dropped on the 
floor). No. lell her 1 will look for it. 

Rita [first makiftg a dissenting motiofi to Alice). No, 
Aunt Bertha, Alice hasn't seen the newspaper {advancing 
into the rooin and producing a ?iewspaper that she has hidden 
on her person ; with a change of toiie^ significantly) — yet. 
Have you, Alice dear ? 

Alice. My ! You'll get it ! 

Rita {niocking). My ! You'll get it ! Hope I shall. 
That's what I advertised for. {Tnr?is the pages.) Where 
is it? {Reads.) Marriages. Deaths. Found. Lost. 
Ah! (Alice looks over her shoulder ; reads.) Lost: A 
copy of Bergson's '' Matter and Memory." {Comments.) 
Some absent-minded professor put that in. {Reads.) A 
pair of false teeth. 

Alice. How ridiculous ! 

Rita {comtnenting). A bite for somebody. 

Alice. Rita ! I'm ashamed ! 

Rita. Here it is ! {Reads. ) . . . fox terrier 
irregular triangular mark over the left eye. . . . 
Answers to the name of Bobbie. Reward, ten dollars. 

Alice. Ten dollars ! Why, you paid only five for him ! 

Rita. I know. But I'm willing to pay double to get 
him back again. You see, I love him twice as much as I did 
at first. 

Alice {dryly , with a toiich of amusement). I see. But 
how about the money ? Have you got it ? 

Rita {with some hesitation, though scarcely abashed). 
N-no — not exactly. I was hoping that you 

Alice {inter ruptiiig). There is nothing so deceitful as 
human hope. 

Rita. Don't talk like a copy-book ! Didn't you say we 
would have to offer a reward ? 

Alice. A suitable reward, I said. 

Rita {expostulating). Suitable ! Do you realize that 
that dog is worth his weight in gold? 

Alice {decidedly). Not my gold. 



8 TOO MUCH BOBBIE 

(JShe goes back to sorti?ig the music. Rita seats herself on 
the settee, somewhat crestj alien.) 

Rita {after a pause, accusingly). You have no sisterly 
affection. 

Alice {tmperturbed). For a dog ? What next ! 

Rita (^unheeding). And to-morrow my birthday too. 
{Suddenly recollects.) By the way — that reminds me. I'll 
have to 'phone and tell Nancy Brower that it's all off. 

Alice. Nancy Brower ? 

Rita. Yes. I haven't seen her for weeks, so I wrote 
and asked her to come over to-morrow and help us to eat the 
birthday cake. 

Alice {with good-natured mockery). So you are going 
to have a birthday party, are you ? 

Rita {with a vicious jab at the sofa pillow). Was ! Put 
it in the past tense, please. 1 was going to have that and 
other things until you spoiled it all. 

Alice {leaving the piano, 7?iy stifled and indignant). I 
spoiled it all ? 

Rita. Yes. Didn't you just tell me that the unexpected 
arrival of a friend from the West has decided Aunt Bertha 
not to take that little trip up state ? What's that if not spoil- 
ing it all ? 

Alice {quietly). There are compensations. 

Rita. Complications, you mean. 

Alice {unheeding). In the shape of Mrs. Griffin. 

Rita {starting to her feet). It isn't the Griffin that is 
coming! (Alice nods.) Dear old Griffin! Why didn't 
you tell me ! And why, oh why, didn't she delay that let- 
ter of hers just one post ! Another hour and Aunt Bertha 

would have gone and {Stops, listens.) Was that the 

bell ? 

Alice. Yes. I think so. Gracious ! I hope it isn't 
people with lost dogs. 

Rita. Found dogs, you mean. No, I'm afraid it's too 
early. But I expect that the line will begin to form in about 
an hour. Then 1 advise you to take up your post near the 
front door. 

Alice. Rita, it's no use ! We'll have to take Sophie 
into our confidence. 

Rita. That stupid creature ! Never ! We might as 
well tell Aunt Bertha at once and be done with it. 



TOO MUCH BOBBIE 9 

Alice. We ! You, you mean. 

Rita. My ! What a row ! 1 shudder to think of it. 

{There is a troubled, thoughtful pause.) 

Alice. Still, perhaps it would be better. You can't pos- 
sibly escape. Suppose you make a clean breast of it. 

Rita {putting on tier jacket^. Thanks. 1 prefer to turn 
my back on it. Where's my music roll? 

Alice. That's you ! You are always getting us into 
trouble and leaving me to face it. 

Rita. I like to share things with you. 

Alice. But what am 1 going to do? I can't 

Rita {interrupting). Just stay here and keep your wits 
about you. More than likely we shan't have a single 
answer. 

Alice. Stay here? That's all very fine. But you know 
Aunt Bertha. She won't give me any peace. Ten to one 
she'll be wanting me to go out and get something for her. 

Rita. Refuse. 

Alice. Refuse ! I see you don't know Aunt Bertha ! 

Rita. Say you have a headache. Say you have taken a 
bichloride of mercury tablet. Anything, only stay in till I 
come back. 1 won't waste any time on my trills this morn- 
ing. I'm in too deep water to linger on the high C's. Oh ! 
Did you get that ? 

Alice {gloomily). I hope you'll be as funny an hour 
from now. 

Rita. I won't. I'm saddest when I sing. 

{Takes her 7nusic roll from the piano and prepares to leave 
the roo?n, door c.) 

Alice {going to her). Wait a minute. Suppose some 
one should come. What about the reward? You don't 
mean to 

(Rytp^, perceiving Miss Bertha Kent, 7aho enters l., ivith 
a telegram in her hand, gives Alice a war?iing touch on 
the arm.) 

Miss K. Alice, this is from Mrs. Griffin. She has 
changed her plans and gets here on the morning instead of 
the evening train. She is due in about fifteen minutes. I 
wish you would call a taxi and go down to meet her. 



10 TOO MUCH BOBBIE 

Rita {interposing ; eagerly^. Let me go, Aunt Bertha I 
I'll meet the Griffin. I've lots of time before my lesson. 
Alice doesn't wish to go out. She said so just a moment 
ago. {Appeals to Alice.) Didn't you, Alice? {Fran- 
tically motions to Alice behind her aunf s back.) She has a 
headache. Haven't you, Alice? 

Miss K. A headache I Just what I've been expecting. 
It's a wonder you aren't both ill, the way that you have been 
keeping yourselves shut up in your room lately. I can't un- 
derstand this passion for indoors that has suddenly seized 
you. Before 1 couldn't keep you in. Now 1 can't get you 
to go out. {To Alice.) What you need is fresh air. This 
little trip to the station will do you good. 

Rita {as before). But, Auut Bertha, Alice is going 

Miss K. {cutting her short, peremptorily). To the depot. 
And you to your music lesson. But not in that silly sum- 
mer-weight jacket. Is that a fit garment for this time of the 
year? 

Rita. The day is warm. And I'm roasting. 

Miss K. Of course you are ! And you'll go out in the 
raw air and catch cold, and I'll have a case of pneumonia 
on my hands. 

Rita. But the air isn't raw. 

Miss K. Don't contradict me ! The air is always raw 
in November. I've seen more Novembers than you, and I 
ought to know. (Rita is about to speak.) Now, not 
another word ! That's what's the trouble in this house — too 
much argument — too much talk. It's talk, talk, talk, from 
morning till night ! To a person of few words, like myself, 
there is nothing more trying. (Alice turns aivay ; Rita 
smothers an exclamation in a fit of coughing.) There you 
are ! Coughing away ! And yet you will actually argue 
with me when I ask you to put on sufficient clothing to pro- 
tect you from the weather. {With a shake of tJie head.) 
Oh, dear ! It certainly is discouraging. A weaker nature 
than mine would have given up the struggle long ago. But 
I'll fight on. After all, your mother was my sister. And 
I'll do my duty by you if it kills me. 

Rita {under her breath, with aii expressive gesture). If 
it kills us, you mean ! [Runs out c.) 

Miss K. {to Alice). What did she say ? 

Alice {evading). I — I didn't hear very well. Some- 
thing about killing. 



TOO MUCH BOBBIE II 

Miss K. {with the air of a martyr^. Killing ! That's 
just what you girls are doing to me with your ingratitude — 
killing me by inches. {Puts her hand to her side.) My 
poor heart is getting worse every day. (^ Phone bell rings ; 
to Alice sharply.) Well, what are you waiting for? 

Alice {with a slight gasp). Nothing. 

{Exit, L.) 

Miss K. {at the 'phone). Hello! {Pause.) Who is 
this? {Pause.) Talk a little louder, please, I can't hear 
you. {Pause.) For pity's sake, don't bellow. I'm not 
deaf! {Pause.) Did I do what? Did I advertise for a 
dog? I certainly did not ! I hate, loathe and abominate 
the beasts I {Pause.) What's that? {Pause.) My good 
man, I don't care what you read in the newspaper. It's all 
wrong, I tell you. There wasn't any dog lost from here, 
because there never was a dog here and there never will be ! 
Is that plain ? {Pause.) I can't help that. You have the 
wrong place, that's all. {Pause.) There isn't any use losing 
your temper about it. All the dogs in the world aren't 
worth that. {Pause; indignantly.) Sir! {Hangs up re- 
ceiver.) Impertinent creature ! A dog, indeed ! I'd like 
to see a dog in this house ! 

{Efiter Sophie, c.) 

Sophie. Mrs. Griffin. 

{Enter Mrs. Mary Griffin, c. Exit Sophie, c.) 

Miss K. Mary ! Alice has just gone to the depot to 
meet you. 

Mrs. G. {regretfully). And I've missed her. I'm sorry. 
But, Bertha, you know I particularly requested you not to 
send any one to meet me. {They embrace.) How are you ? 
I'm glad to find you up and about. I concluded from the 
tone of your last letter that if I didn't hurry I wouldn't get 
East in time for the funeral. 

Miss K. {hurt and reproachful). You may joke. But 
it is only a question of time. 

Mrs. G. It is that with all of us, isn't it ? [Removes her 
coat and hat ; places them on a chair.) Where's Rita? 

Miss K. Gone for her singing lesson. Oh I the trouble 
I have with that girl, and Alice, too, for that matter. You 



12 TOO MUCH BOBBIE 

don't know what it means to have two nieces thrust upon 
you. 

(^She indicates a chair for her guest, then seats herself.') 

Mrs. G. {exajnining the rooni). No, I wish I did. 

Miss K. It is over a year now. And how I have stood 
it is more than 1 know. It must be that the Lord has 
strengthened my back to the burden. 

Mrs. G. {at the piano, tiiriiing over the music ; lightly). 
At any rate, He gave you a good stiff neck. {Turns from 
the piano.) But there is one thing, Bertha, that the Lord 
didn't give you. 

Miss K. (^suspiciously). Eh? 

Mrs. G. You don't mind my teUing you? 

{Seats herself opposite.) 

Miss K. {ofpendeit). Certainly not. 

Mrs. G. He didn't give you an understanding of young 
people. You are making a sad mess of this thing. Every 
one of your letters showed me that. 

Miss K. {coldly). Perhaps you think you could do better. 

Mrs. G. {with imperturbable good hiwio?-). I'm sure of 
it. In fact, that's what 1 came on to tell you. I'd like to 
prove it to you. Will you let me? 

Miss K. Prove it to me ? How ? What do you mean ? 

Mrs. G. Let me have the girls — for a time at least. 
John left me more money than I know what to do with, 
and 

Miss K. {iuterrtipting). Are you mad ? 

Mrs. G. No. Only terribly lonely. 



{Enter Sophie, c.) 



Miss K. But L 



Mrs. G. {interruptiiig). Don't answer hastily. Take 
time to think it over. 

Miss K. {to Sophie). Well ? 

Sophie. Please, ma'am, there's a woman at the door. 
She has a bunch of dogs with her. She says if you hand 
out the ten dollars you can have your pick. 

Miss K. {rising), Ten dollars ! What ten dollars ? 



TOO MUCH BOBBIE 1 3 

Sophie. I don't know. But she's waiting for it, and she 
won't go away. And the dogs are tracknig the mud all 
about the place. 

Miss K. This is outrageous ! Tell that female that if she 
doesn't take her pests away instantly, I'll have every one of 
them shot or poisoned ! 

Sophie. Yes, ma'am. And please, ma'am, Mrs. Bassett 
is down-stairs and wishes to see you very particular. 

Miss K. Mrs. Bassett ! What can she possibly wish ? 
Has she a dog with her, too ? 

Sophie. No, ma'am. Only her husband. 

(Mrs. G. laughs.) 

Miss K. (aggrieved). I'm glad you can laugh, Mary. 

Mrs. G. What is it all about? Have you lost a dog? 

Miss K. I — a dog ! 

Mrs. G. Of course not. I forgot. Then what are they 
bringing them here for? 

Miss K. That's what I should like to know. 

Mrs. G. Perhaps you have a practical joker in your 
neighborhood. Some one who is aware of your pet aver- 
sion, and 

Miss K. (interrupting). Perhaps. I don't know. But 
if you will excuse me, I am going to find out. And when I 
do, it'll be no joke. Sophie, you will show Mrs. Griffin to 
her room. 

{Exit, c. Sophie takes Mrs. G.'s coat and hat.) 

Sophie. This way, ma'am, if you please. 

(Exeunt, r.) 

(E?iter Nancy Brower, c. She carries a basket of tlie 
type used to convey little dogs. Slie looks about somewhat 
timidly. After a moment's hesitation she places the basket 
on the chair at the end of the table ; goes to door r. , which 
she partly opens.) 

Nancy {calling softly). Rita. Are you there? {A 
pause.) Rita. 

{Enter Mrs. G., r.) 

Mrs. G. Rita isn' t at home. Is there anything I can 
do for you ? 



14 TOO MUCH BOBBIE 

Nancy {retreating a step or two). My ! how you 
frightened me ! 1 thought it was Miss Kent. 

Mrs. G. [sf?uling). I'm her cousin, Mrs. Griffin. Shall 
I call her ? 

Nancy {hastily). Not for the world ! I wouldn't have 
come up at all if the maid hadn't told me that Rita was at 
home. I'm her chum, Nancy Brower. 

Mrs. G. And a very nice chum, I'm sure. 

Nancy {with a slight gig;^le, gratefully). Oh ! thank 
you so much. And to-morrow she is going to have a birth- 
day party. 

Mrs. G. {in some surprise). A birthday party ! 

Nancy. Yes. And as 1 am going away and couldn't 
attend, 1 brought around her present. {Looks in the direc- 
tion of the basket.) I'm afraid you won't think much of it. 
I don't myself. But it was the best 1 could do. Fortu- 
nately, when it comes to dogs, Rita isn't very particular. 

Mrs. G. (/;/ amused dismay). You don't mean to say 
that you have brought her a dog ! 

Nancy. Yes. 1 see you don't think much of it as a 
present. I don't myself. But I didn't know what to get. 
And as I was standing in front of a store window trying to 
decide, an Italian came along with a dog in his arms which 
he offered to let me have " mucha cheapa." {Goes toward 
the basket.) Would you like to see him ? I have him here 
in a basket. The basket didn't come with him, of course. 
Mother let me have that. 

Mrs. G. {stopping her). No, no ! Don't take him out. 
I'm sorry, but you must not leave him here. This is no 
place for a dog. Miss Kent doesn't like dogs. And to-day 
she is particularly sensitive on the subject. 

Nancy {ivith a look of dismay). I never thought about 
that. {Dejectedly.) Though 1 might have known. Even 
some amiable people dislike dogs. {A slight pause, duriiig 
which they stand looking at each other.) What am I going 
to do about it ? I can't take him home. We leave for 
Boston this afternoon, and the house is going to be closed. 

Mrs. G. Perhaps you could find the man. 
_ Nancy {skeptically). In the streets of New York ? [She 
sits disconsolately on the edge of a chair. A pause ; voice 
7vithout ; Nai^cy jumps up in alarm.) It isn't Miss Kent, 
is it ? 

Mrs. G. {listening; tuith a nod). I think so. 



TOO MUCH BOBBIE 1 5 

Nancy. Oh ! 

Mrs. G. We had better hide that dog. 

Nancy {snatching fip the basket). And me too, please. 
(Looks around wildly.) But where — where? 

Mrs. G. {opening door^ r.). Here ! Into my room. 
First door on tiie left. 

{She shuts the door, r., o?i Nancy, a?id is seated by the table 
turning over the leaves of a magazine when Miss K. 
e filers, c.) 

Miss K. Well, if the day continues as it has begun, 
there will be some excitement here before bedtime. 

Mrs. G. {zuith a glance in the direction of door 'R.'). I'm 
sure of it. 

Miss K. Between dogs and Bobbie ! 

Mrs. G. Bobbie ? Who's Bobbie ? 

Miss K. {sitting'). Mrs. Bassett's darling boy. She was 
in here just now weeping all over my new divan. He has 
run away from home. 

Mrs. G. {repeating). Run away ! Was there any rea- 
son for his leaving his home ? 

Miss K. {zvith grifji humor). I don't know of any, 
except that his parents live there. 

Mrs. G. Are you a friend of theirs ? 

Miss K. No, indeed. I made that perfectly clear to 
them this" morning. — Neighbors, whom I hardly know. And 
why they should bother me with their affairs is more than I 
can understand. {Struck by a sudden thought.) Unless it 
is that they suspect— — {Excited ; rises.) Yes, yes, that 
must be it 1 Mary ! 

Mrs. G. {going to her). What's the matter ? 

Miss K. {with her hand on Mrs. G.'s ar77i). Perhaps a 
change would be beneficial for the girls. 1 was going to say 
no, but {Stops.) 

Mrs. G. Something has made you change your mind ? 

Miss K. Yes — Bobbie. 

Mrs. G. Bobbie ! 

Miss K. {sinking into her chair). Sit down and I'll tell 
you all about it. But first, please open that door {indicating 
door R.), and give me some air. I feel really quite faint. 
{After a slight hesitation Mrs. G. opens the door.) After 
all my care and training to think that it should come to — 
Bobbie ! {Sound of a smothered sneeze ; sitting up ; listen- 



l6 TOO MUCH BOBBIE 

ing.) What was that ? It sounded like a sneeze. If I were 
asked I should say it came from the direction of your room. 

Mus. G. {iineasily). Nonsense ! Who is going to sneeze 
in my room when I'm not there? 

JMiss K. {going toward door, R.). It will do no harm 
to investigate. 

Mrs. G. {intercepting). Oh, yes, it will. 

Miss K. It may be a burglar. 

Mrs. G. I'm positive it isn't. 

Miss K. Very well. If any of your effects are missing 
don't blame me. (Sits.) 

Mrs. G. i won't. Now, tell me about Bobbie. {Sits.) 
What makes you connect his name with those of the girls? 
Has he been attentive to them — has he called ? 

Miss K. Called ! I should like to see him ! 

Mrs. G. Then how ? 

Miss K. {interrupting). How? How do girls do every- 
thing that you don't wish them to do? 

Mrs. G. But what have they done ? 

Miss K. They've been aciing queerly — very queerly of 
late. 

Mrs. G. In what way? 

Miss K. Oh, unusually quiet and keeping to themselves 
a great deal and starling and changing color when spoken to. 

Mrs. G. Qnnsing). Those are the symptoms. Has Bob- 
bie got them, too ? 

Miss K. I don't know anything about Bobbie. 

Mrs. G. I thought you knew everything about Bobbie. 

Miss K. Except that his name has been constantly on 
their lips. 

Mrs. G. They have discussed him with you? 

Miss K. With me ! 

Mrs. G. {hastily). Oh, no, of course not. Then how 
do you know ? 

Miss K. I overheard them. It has been Bobbie, Bob- 
bie, Bobbie, all the week. Yesterday 1 came in here and 
surprised Rita writing a note which she refused to show me. 
She declared it wasn't of any importance. But, of course, 
I didn't believe her. And she looked as though she had 
been crying. There is something underhand going on. 
Of that 1 am sure. 

Mrs. G. How did they get acquainted with this young 
man ? 



TOO MUCH BOBBIE I7 

Miss K. I don't know. I believe they attended the 
same school. 

Mrs. G. {after a slight thoughtful pause). It can't be 
anything serious. Just a boy and girl flirtation. 

Miss K. When a girl stoops to flirt with a boy, it is 
serious enough, I should say. 

Mrs. G. With whom would a girl flirt, if not with a 
boy ? However, Bobbie is gone, and they will soon forget 
all about him. 

{Enter Sophie, c, with a card on a tray.) 

Miss K. Don't tell me that woman is back again ? 

Sophie. Oh, no, ma'am. {Iimocenily.) She wouldn't 
dare come back after what you said to her. But before she 
left, one of her dogs killed the next door gentleman's cat, 
and he says he is going to sue you — if not worse. 

Miss K. Sue me ! Why should he sue me ? I didn't 
kill his cat. {Takes the card.) Though goodness knows, 
I've wanted to many a time. {Looks at the card.) Sig- 
norina Luca. Rita's singing teacher. {To Sophie.) Is 
Rita with her ? 

{^ Phone rings.) 

Sophie. No, ma'am. 

Miss K. There it goes ! More dogs 1 Mary, will you 
answer it? I can't trust myself. 

(Mrs. G., with a slight amused laugh, goes to the ^ phone.) 

{^Exeunt Miss K. and Sophie, c.) 

Mrs. G. {at the 'phone). Hello ! {Pause.) Is Mrs. 
Griffin here? Well, rather. {Pause.) Is that you, Ahce? 
(Pause.) At the depot ail this time! You poor child, 
what a shame ! {Pause.) I should say so. And I'm 
dying to see you and hug you and mother you — you poor 

little aunt-ridden What is that ? {Pause.) You can't 

hear me? Perhaps it is just as well. {Raises her voice.) 
Hurry home ! Can you hear that ? {Pause ; with a laugh.) 
Yes, indeed. Good-bye. 

{Hangs up receiver as Nancy peeps i^ito the room, r.) 

Nancy. Has she gone ? 

Mrs. G. Yes. (Nancy enters.) And, my dear young 
lady, I wish you had. 



l8 TOO MUCH BOBBIE 

Nancy {ruefully). You don't wish it any more than 
I do. {Goes to doory L.). There's a back stair somewhere. 

Mrs. G. Where's the dog ? 

Nancy. He's asleep on your bed. He seems to be per- 
fectly at home. 

Mrs. G. I should say so. {Goes toward door, r.) 

Nancy. You had better not disturb him. He's quiet 
now. 

Mrs. G. If you can take him without disturbing 
him 

Nancy {interrupting). But I can't take him — I simply 
can't. 

Mrs. G. And I can't keep him — I simply can't. My 
dear child, if you knew 

{Enter Miss K., c, /// a state of the utmost agitation. 
Nancy, finding escape i?npossible, sifiks into a chair. ^ 

Miss K. Mary ! They've gone ! 

Mrs. G. Who? What? 

Miss K. Rita and Bobbie. Eloped ! 

Mrs. G. Eloped ! 

Nancy. Eloped ! 

Miss K. Nancy Brower ! {Takes her roughly by the 
shoulder.) Where did you come from? 

Nancy {frighteiied). I — I don't know. 

Miss K. Are you a party to this deception ? Did you 
know about Bobbie ? 

Nancy {as before). No, no — really ! Who is Bobbie ? 

Miss K. {going to the 'phone). To think that this should 
happen after all my care ! 

(Mrs. G. stops her as she is about to take dowfi receiver.) 

Mrs. G. What are you going to do ? 

Miss K. Notify the police. 

Mrs. G. No, no. There may be some mistake. How 
do you know that they have eloped ? 

Miss K. How do I know ? Rita not at the studio, as 
her teacher has just this moment informed me. Young 
Bassett not at home. The whole thing is perfectly clear. 

Mrs. G. It will have to be made clearer before I'm 
satisfied. And I advise you not to take any action in the 
matter until 



TOO MUCH BOBBIE 1 9 

Miss K. {interrupting). Do you realize that while we are 
wasting time talking about it — they may be getting married. 
Nancy. Married ! Just think of it I 

(^Enter Alice, c.) 

Alice {luho has overheard the last few words'). Who is 
getting married ? 

Nancy {jumping up). Here's Alice ! 

Mrs. G. Perhaps she will be able to help us. {Goes to 
Alice.) My dear, where is Rita ? 

Miss K. {to Alice). If you have been a party to this 
wretched deception, confess it at once. 

Alice. What deception ? Do you mean about Bobbie ? 

Miss K. {turning to Mrs. G.). There, you see ! She 
knows. 

Alice {bewildered). What do I know ? What are you 
talking about ? 

Miss K. About the elopement. They've gone — your 
sister and that wretched Bassett boy ! 

Alice {after standing for an instant in speechless aniaze- 
me?it). Gone ! So that was why she was at the depot ! 

Miss K. At the depot ! 

Mrs. G. The depot ! 

Nancy. Depot ! 

Alice. Yes. As I came out of the telephone booth, she 
rushed across the waiting-room and disappeared in the direc- 
tion of the train shed. 

Miss K. What did I tell you ! What did I tell you ! 
Now we are probably too late ! 

[Rushes wildly from the room, L.) 

Alice {amazed and incredulous). Rita ! Eloped ! 

Nancy {who is beginning to enjoy the excitement). Isn't 
it thrilling ! 

Alice {as before). Without telling me ! 

Mrs. G. It is possible that she has left a message. Per- 
haps in her room you may find 

Nancy {iriterrupting). A note. Yes. They always 
leave a note. You had better go and see. {Exit Alice, 
R. ; 'phone rings.) There ! I shouldn't wonder if Miss Kent 
has notified the police. Perhaps that's the chief 'phoning 
for particulars. 



20 TOO MUCH BOBBIE 

Mrs. G. {at the 'phone'). Hello. {Pause.) Miss Nancy 
Brower. 

Nancy {somewhat apprehensively). That's me — I. What 
do ihey want ? 1 didn't have anything to do with it. I 
don't wish to get mixed up with the police. Tell them — 
won't you, please ! 

Mrs. G. {amused). My dear child, don't be absurd. It 
isn't the police. It's your mother. 

Nancy {relieved). Mother ! I had forgotten I had a 
mother. 

Mrs. G. Come and talk to her. 

(Nancy goes to the 'photie ; exit Mrs. G., r.) 

Nancy {at the 'phone). Hello, mother dear. {Pause ; 
contritely.) Yes. And I suppose I've made you lose tlie 
train and upset all your plans, but 1 couldn't help it. We 

have an elopement and {Pause.) No, no, 1 haven't 

eloped. {Pause.) What's that you say ? Wearen't going ? 
Oh, I'm so glad ! {Pause.) 1 can't. In fact, I don't know 
myself. It's all sort of mixed up. You see everybody is so 
excited. {Pause.) Yes. And mother, will you look up 
my prettiest photograph ? This is going to get into the 
newspapers. And I'll be named as the eloping couple's best 
friend. {Pause.) Luncheon. What's luncheon compared 
to an elopement? {Pause.) No, don't wait for me. 
Good-bye. {Jiangs up receiver as Mrs. G., followed by 
Alice, enters the room.) Did you find anything? 

Mrs. G. {with a shake of the head). Nothing. {To 
Alice, who seems too stunned to think or act.) My dear, 
you probably know more about your sister than any one else. 
You must help us to unravel this. {Indicates chair for 
Alice and seats herself near her.) You say you don't be- 
lieve she has gone? 

Alice. I can't believe it. Rita wouldn't do such a 
thing. 

Mrs. G. What do you know about — what's his name — 
Bobbie ? 

Alice. He was Rita's pet, not mine. All I know is we 
kept him hidden in the house for a week, and 

(Nancy gives a screech and falls back into a chair.) 

Mrs. G. {scandalized). My dear child ! What are you 
saying? 



TOO MUCH BOBBIE 21 

Alice. I know it was wrong, and that we oughtn't to 
have done it. But with an aunt like ours, what are you 
going to do? I begged Rita to give him up, but she 
wouldn't. She was just crazy about him. 

[Efifer Miss K. l., dressed for the street.) 

Miss K, I have just talked to Mrs. Bassett. She says 
her son has been traced to Philadelphia. 

Mrs. G. Where are you going ? 

Miss K. I am going after him. 

Nancy (to herself). Poor Bobbie ! 

Mrs. G. Bertha, I think you are making a mistake. If 
you take my advice, you will remain quietly at home. 

Alice (u'ho has risen ; her voice shaking with indignation 
and excitement). Besides, you don't really know. Oh ! 
The whole tiling is outrageous ! 

Miss K. {turning on her). Silence ! 

(Alice sits by the table and buries her face in her hands ; 
Nancy goes to her.) 

Nancy {consolingly). Don't, dear, don't ! They'll come 
back again. Maybe they won't like Philadelphia. 
Miss K. They certainly won't after I get there 1 

{Exit, c.) 

Mrs. G. {following her). Wait a moment, Bertha. 
You are going to make a mess of this, just as sure as 

{Gives it up with a hopeless gesture.) 

Nancy {to Alice, who is sobbing ; distressed). Please 
don't 1 I love to cry myself, but I hate to see any one else 
doing it. {Strj/ck by a happy thought.) Oh, wait a mo- 
ment ! I have a surprise for you. {To Mrs. G.) Shall I ? 

(Mrs. G. nods ; Nancy runs out r. Alice ^o-^^j- to Mrs. G., 
who takes her in her arms.) 

Alice {wiping her eyes). You don't believe it, do you ? 
Mrs. G. No. I feel sure there must be some mistake. 

(Nancy bursts into the rootn, r.) 

Nancy. He's gone ! 



22 TOO MUCH BOBBIE 

Mrs. G. The dog ? 

Nancy. Yes — the dog. 
Alice {astounded). A dog ! You too ! 
Nancy. Two ! No — just one. A little bit of a — oh, 
look for him, won't you ! {Searches.) 

Mrs. G. You left him in my room, you say ? 

Nancy. Yes. 

Mrs. G. He can't be far away. 

(Exit, ^., followed by Alice ; Nancy conti?iues her search ; 
she is 071 her knees half under the table when Rita enters 
C. ; she looks tired and discouraged.) 

Rita {after surveying Nancy /;/ puzzled amazement). 
Nancy Brower ! What under the sun are you doing ? 

Nancy {scrambling to her feet). Rita ! So you didn't 
go to Philadelphia? 

Rita {^removing her hat and coat). No, I went quite a 
distance. But hardly as far as Philadelphia. 

Nancy. What doing ? 

Rita. I was running after a man. 

Nancy. Running after ! Didn't he want to take 

you with him ? 

Rita {sitting; dryly). No, he didn't seem particularly 
anxious for my company. 

Nancy {indigtiantly). The brute ! {After a slight pause, 
with a touch of disappointment r) So it isn't an elopement 
after all ! 

^\TK {puzzled). An elopement! {Gives it up.) Nancy, 
I'm afraid I'm too tired to appreciate a joke. 

Nancy. A joke ! If you had been here this morning, 
you wouldn't have thought it a joke. Do you know that at 
this very moment your Aunt Bertha is on her way to Phila- 
delphia after you and Bobbie Bassett. 

Rita {now thoroughly aroused and indignatit). I ! 
Eloped with Bobbie Bassett ! Why, I hardly know the boy. 

Nancy {with a gasp). You hardly know him ! Rita ! 
How can you say such a thing ! After hiding him here for 
a whole week. 

Rita. Hiding ! Bobbie Bassett ! 

{Puts her hand to her head. ) 
{Enter Alice, r., followed by Mrs. G.) 



TOO MUCH BOBBIE 27 

Nancy. Yes (J^uns to Alice.) Didn't she, Alice? 

Alice. What? (&^i- Rita.) Rita! (7^; Mrs G- 

triumplianily.') What did 1 tell you ! • • * 

(/^ about to go to Rita, but Nancy detaiiis her; Mrs. G. 
6711 braces Rita.) 
Nancy. Answer me first. 
Alice. What ? 

Nancy. Didn't you say that Rita had been hiding that 
±5assett boy ni the house for over a week ? 
Alice {amazed and shocked). Never ' 
Nancy. What ! You deny it ? 
Alice. Absolutely. 

Nancy {putting her hand to her head). Oh ' (Af>- 
peals to Mrs. G.) You heard it. • v /- 

Mrs G. She was so nervous and excited that I doubt if 
she realized what she was saying. 

Alice {to Mrs. G.). What did I say ? 
Mrs. G You said that you had kept Bobbie hidden in 
the house for over a week. 
Rita. Well, so we did. 

Nancy {wide-eyed; throwing up her hands). And just 
a moment ago they denied it ! 

Alice (indignant). I said Bobbie. I didn't say Bobbie 
liassett. There are other Bobbies beside Bobbie Bassett 

Mrs. G. He seemed to be the only Bobbie in the world 
this morning. 

Nancy. And the other Bobbie ? 
Alice {withering/y). The other Bobbie is a dog. 
Mrs. G. {relieved). Oh ! 

Nancy {weakly). A dog ! I might have known it. 
Rita {indignantly). Do you think I would look at a 
man ! 

Nancy {inter ruptificr). No— not when there was a dog 
around. I said as much to your aunt. (Penitently.) For- 
give me— please. Both of you. 

Mrs. G. With your Aunt Bertha in the same house ! 
What possessed you to do such a thing? 

Rita. I don't know. I just wanted a dog, and I bought 
one. It was all my fault. 

Alice. We were going to tell, but we kept putting it off 
trom day to day. Then we lost him. 

Rita. Then I advertised. As Aunt Bertha expected to 



24 TOO MUCH BOBBIE 

be gone for several days, I thought it would be safe. Un- 
fortunately, she changed her plans. 

Mrs. G. So it was you who advertised ? 

Rita. Did you have any answers? 

Mrs. G. Yes, and they are still coming. 

Alice {to Rita). There, you see ! I told you what 
would happen ! We'll never hear the last of this. 

Rita {with a touch of recklessness). I don't care. If I 
could only get my dog again. To think that that man 
should have him ! 

Mrs. G. Man? 

Nancy. The man you were running after? 

Alice. Running after a man ! And she said just a mo- 
ment ago that she wouldn't look at a man. 

Rita. Yes, I've been running after a man, but the man 
wasn't Bobbie Bassett, and before I go any further, I wish 
to know what all this elopement talk means. What be- 
gan it ? 

Alice {at a loss). I — I don't believe I know. Do you, 
Nancy ? 

Nancy. Why, it was {Stops noriplussed.) No, I 

don't believe 1 do. You'll have to ask your Aunt Bertha. 
She got up this elopement. 

Mrs. G. {icnth a sviile, motioning Rita to a seat beside 
her on the settee). I think I can exi)lain. (Nancy j/'/j-/ 
Alice lea?is against the table.) Your aunt overheard you 
two girls talking about Bobbie. 

Alice {to Rita). I told you, more than once, that you 
were talking too loudly. 

Mrs. G. Then came the news that young Bassett had 
disappeared. 

Rita {repeati?ig). Disappeared ! 

Nancy {nodding). Gone! Left his home and mother, 
naughty boy ! 

Mrs. G. And immediately after the receipt of that news, 
word came from your singing teacher that you had failed to 
keep your appointment. You see? Rather slim material 
out of which to build an elopement. But your aunt — well— 
you know how she is? 

Rita. Yes. I know. {A thoughtful ptitise.) 

Alice {to Rita). Why didn't you go for your lesson ? 

Rita. As I was in the car on my way to Signorina's, I 
saw a rough -looking fellow crossing the street with Bobbie 



TOO MUCH BOBBIE 25 

in his arms. I got off in time to see him disappear around 
the corner. I ran after him as far as the depot. 

Alice. I saw you. 

Nancy {who had been listening intently to the above'). 
Did he have a red woolen scarf about his throat ? 

Rita. Yes. Why do you ask ? 

Nancy (ignoring the question). And Bobbie is just a 
pup, isn't he? A fox terrier with a pecuHar splotch on his 
forehead ? 

Rita. Yes. 

Nancy {to Mrs. G. \ excited). It's my man and my 
dog ! 

Rita. Your dog ! 

Alice. Your man ! 

Nancy {as before). Don't you see? The dog I bought 
and brought here this morning is Bobbie. That horrid 
ItaHan probably stole him or picked him up on the street. 
I'm making her a present of her own dog on her own birth- 
day. 

Rita {incredulous and delighted). Bobbie ! Here ! 

Nancy. Yes. {Recollects.) That is — he was here. {To 
Alice.) Did you find him? 

Alice. No. We had just started to look for him when 
I heard Rita's voice. 

Nancy {running out r.). This way, Rita. 

Rita {as she follows). Look on the sofa in my room. 

Alice. And I thought I was rid of that dog ! 

{Follows Nancy a?id Rita. Mrs. G. is about to follow 
ivhen she hears Miss K.'s voice. Enter Miss K., c, 
talking to Sophie, who follows and stands just inside the 
doorway. Miss K. is sofnetvhat ashamed, and somewhat 
subdued and very cross.) 

Miss K. And Sophie, if any one calls, say I am indis- 
posed. 

Sophie. Yes, ma'am. {Turns to go.) 

Miss K. And Sophie 

Sophie. Yes, ma'am. 

Miss K. Bring me a cup of tea — extra strong — at once. 

Sophie. Yes, ma'am. {Leaves the room.) 

Mrs. G. {secretly amused). Oh ! I thought you were 
on your way to Philadelphia? 

Miss K. {avoiding Mks. G.'s eye). I was. 



26 TOO MUCH BOBBIE 

Mrs. G. What stopped you ? 

Miss K. Bobbie Bassett. 

Mrs. G. Bobbie Bassett ! And where has he been ? 

Miss K. I don't know exactly. He said something 
about the VV^orld's Series in Philadelphia, and having sent a 
message to his mother that was never received — but 1 didn't 
stop to listen. 

Mrs. G. {with a change of to7ie). That's the trouble 
with you. 

Miss K. Eh ? 

Mrs. G. You never stop to listen. Bertha, I shouldn't 
like to tell you what 1 think of your conduct this morning. 
All this talk and pubhcity about nothing ! If you are not 
ashamed of yourself — you ought to be. And the least you 
can do is to ajx^logize all round. 

Miss K. {bridling'). 1 never apologized in my life. 

Mrs. G. Then it is high time you began. This might 
have turned out seriously. If it had, it would have been all 
your fault. 

Miss K. All my fault ! What about Rita ? Where is 
she? 

Mrs. G. Here. And has explained everything satisfac- 
torily — a very simple matter. 

Miss K. It will take some explaining to satisfy me ! 

Mrs. G. {severely). Bertha, if you are wise, you will let 
this matter drop right here. 

Miss K. Where is she ? 

Mrs. G. In there. {Motions R.) You might as well 
know it — Nancy Brower has brought her a dog for a birth- 
day present. 

Miss K. A dog! In my house {Starts R.) 

Mrs. G. {warningly). Now, Bertha ! 

(Miss K. stops ^ glares at her, but evidently gives it up.) 

Miss K. Well, I suppose she'll take it with her when she 
visits you. {Enter Sophie, c, with cup of tea on a tray.) 
To my room — stupid ! 

Mrs. G. So you will let them come. Bertha? That's 
fine. I'll try to show you 

Miss K. {protestingly). No — not another word, Mary. 
I've had enough to-day, 

{Exit, L.) 



TOO MUCH BOBBIE 



27 



(^Eiiter Nancy, r.) 

Nancy. We've found him. He was in Rita's room. 
And it is really and truly Bobbie. 

Mrs. G. {Jiolding up her hand). S-s-sh ! Miss Kent has 
returned. 

Nancy Qlisappoinied). Oh ! (^Goes to door r., which 
she has left open; ^notions.) Don't bring him in here. 
Take him back. Your aunt has returned. 

(^Enter Alice.) 

Alice. Now we're going to get it ! 

(^Enter Rita.) 

Rita {to Mrs. G.). I thought she had gone to Phila- 
delphia. What made her change her mind ? 

Mrs. G. Young Bassett. 

Nancy. So the other Bobbie has been found, too ? 

Mrs. G. Yes. 

Alice. Where is he ? 

Mrs. G. At present he may be expiating his love of 
sport. It seems that he went to Philadelphia to see the base- 
ball games. 

Rita {nervously). Oh, dear ! What am I going to say 
to Aunt Bertha? 

Mrs. G. Nothing. Leave it all to me. You may keep 
the dog, but you'd better keep him out of your aunt's sight 
until you leave. 

\^^ \ (together). Leave ! Where are we going? 

Mrs. G. To my home in the West. 

Alice. But Aunt Bertha 

Rita. She'll never consent. 
Mrs. G. But she has already consented. 
Rita. Oh, Griffin, you're a magician ! Nobody but 
yourself could have done it. {Hugs her.) 
Mrs. G. I think Bobbie helped. 
Rita. Bobbie ! How ? 
Mrs. G. ril tell you all about that — after. 
Alice. You're an angel ! 

{Throws her arjus about Mrs. G.) 
curtain 



Unusually Good Entertainments 

Read One or More of These Before Deciding on 
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GRADUATION DAY AT WOOD HILIi SCHOOL. 

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cents. 

EXAMINATION DAY AT WOOD HILL SCHOOL. 
An Entertainment in One Act, by Ward Macauley. Eight male 
and six female characters, with minor parts. Plays one hour. 
Scene, an easy interior, or may be given without scenery. Cos- 
tumes, modern. Miss Marks, the teacher, refuses to marry a 
trustee, who threatens to discharge her. The examination in- 
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Two scenes, both easy interiors. Can be played effectively with- 
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surprise party given in his honor. Easy to do and very funny. 
Price, 15 cents. 

THE DISTRICT CONVENTION. A Farcical Sketch 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. For eleven males and one 
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SI SLOCUM^S COUNTRY STORE. An Entertainment 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. Eleven male and five female 
characters with supernumeraries. Several parts may be doubled 
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THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 



Unusually Good Entertainments 

Read One or More of These Before Deciding on 
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A SURPRISE PARTY AT BRINKLEY'S. An En- 
tertainment in One Scene, by Ward Macauley. Seven male and 
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produced in any place or on any occasion, and provides almost 
any number of good parts. Price, 15 cents. 

THE OLD MAIDS' ASSOCIATION. A Farcical Enter-, 
tainment in One Act, by Louise Latham Wilson. For thirteen 
females and one male. The male part may be played by a 
female, and the number of characters increased to twenty or 
more. Time, forty minutes. The play requires neither scenery 
nor properties, and very little in the way of costumes. Can 
easily be prepared in one or two rehearsals. Price, 25 cents. 

BARGAIN DAY AT BLOOMSTEIN'S. A Farcical 
Entertainment in One Act, by Edward Mum ford. For five males 
and ten females, with supers. Interior scene. Costumes, mod- 
ern. Time, thirty minutes. The characters and the situations 
which arise from their endeavors to buy and sell make rapid-fire 
fun from start to finish. Price, 15 cents. 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 



Successful Plays for All Girls 

In Selecting Your Next Play Do Not Overlook This List 

YOUNG DOCTOR DEVINE. A Farce in Two Acts, 
by Mrs. E. J. H. Goodfelluw. One of the most popular 
plays for girls. For nine female characters. Time in 
playing, thirty minutes. Scenery, ordinary interior. Mod- 
ern costumes. Girls in a boarding-school, learning that a 
young doctor is coming to vaccinate all the pupils, eagerly con- 
sult each other as to the manner of fascinating the physician. 
When the doctor appears upon the scene the pupils discover that 
the physician is a female practitioner. Price, 15 cents. 

SISTER MASONS. A Burlesque in One Act, by Frank 
DuMONT. For eleven females. Time, thirty minutes. Costumes, 
fantastic gowns, or dominoes. Scene, interior. A grand expose 
of Masonry. Some women profess to learn the secrets of a 
Masonic lodge by hearing their husbands talk in their sleep, 
and they institute a similar organization. Price, 15 cents. 

A COMMANDING POSITION. A Farcical Enter- 
tainment, by Amelia Sanford. For seven female char- 
acters and ten or more other ladies and children. Time, one 
hour. Costumes, modern. Scenes, easy interiors and one street 
scene. Marian Young gets tired living with her aunt. Miss 
Skinflint. She decides to "attain a commanding position." 
Marian tries hospital nursing, college settlement work and 
school teaching, but decides to go back to housework. Price, 15 
cents. 

HOW A WOMAN KEEPS A SECRET. A Comedy 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. For ten female characters. 
Time, half an hour. Scene, an easy interior. Costumes, modern. 
Mabel Sweetly has just become engaged to Harold, but it's "the 
deepest kind of a secret." Before announcing it they must win 
the approval of Harold's uncle, now in Europe, or lose a possible 
ten thousand a year. At a tea Mabel meets her dearest friend. 
Maude sees Mabel has a secret, she coaxes and Mabel tells her. 
But Maude lets out the secret in a few minutes to another 
friend and so the secret travels. Price, 15 cents. 

THE OXFORD AFFAIR. A Comedy in Three Acts, 
by Josephine H. Cobb and Jennie E. Paine. For eight female 
characters. Plays one hour and three-quarters. Scenes, inter- 
iors at a seaside hotel. Costumes, modern. The action of the 
play is located at a summer resort. Alice Graham, in order to 
chaperon herself, poses as a widow, and Miss Oxford first claims 
her as a sister-in-law, then denounces her. The onerous duties 
of Miss Oxford, who attempts to serve as chaperon to Miss 
Howe and Miss Ashton in the face of many obstacles, furnish 
an evening of rare enjoyment. Price 15 cents. 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

015 908 451 6 P; 

The Power of Expression 

Expression and efficiency go hand in hand. 

The power of clear and forceful expression brings confi- 
dence and poise at all times — in private gatherings, in public 
discussion, in society, in business. 

It is an invaluable asset to any man or woman. It can often 
be turned into money, but it is always a real joy. 

In learning to express thought, we learn to command 
thought itself, and thought is power. You can have this 
power if you will. 

Whoever has the power of clear expression is always sure 
of himself. 

The power of expression leads to: 

The ability to think "on your feet" 
Successful public speaking 
Effective recitals 
The mastery over other minds 
Social prominence 
Business success 
Efficiency in any undertaking 
Are these things worth while? 

They are all successfully taught at The National School of 
Elocution and Oratory, which during many years has de- 
veloped this power in hundreds of men and women. 
A catalogue giving full information as to how any of these 
accomplishments may be attained will be sent free on request. 

THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF 
ELOCUTION AND ORATORY 

Parkway Building Philadelphia 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




015 908 451 6 ^ 



